METHODS: Dachshunds were entered into the study after unilateral thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Lean muscle and fat contents were measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the beginning and at week 12 of the study. Aggressive rehabilitation was performed 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. Logistic regressions were used to determine the odds ratios between potential risk factors (age, duration of clinical signs, weight, bodycondition score, percentage body fat, percentage lean muscle mass, and disability index [DI] score at presentation) and return benchmarks of recovery.

RESULTS: Bodycondition score, percentage body fat, percentage lean muscle mass, weight, and age did not influence the odds ratio for recovery. An increase in preoperative DI score was associated with increased risk of a slow postoperativerecovery (P < .05). The odds ratios were 2.5, 4.8, and 1.8 for >7 days until standing, > 30 days until strong ambulation, and failure to return to normal within the study period, respectively. On average, dogs lost weight (2.2 kg) and body fat (2.4%) but gained muscle mass (3.0%) over the study period (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: Preoperative disability but not bodycondition was a risk factor for a slow recovery after thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in dachshunds with rehabilitation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A slower recovery is likely with increased preoperative disability, but bodycondition does not seem to affect the postoperative prognosis of dachshundstreated with rehabilitation.

They made a difference

One of the BIG originals of veterinary orthopedics was Saki Paatsama. Born in an engineering family in Tampere, just 2 hours north of Helsinki in Finland, and with carpenters and boat builders in the family, Saki was preprogrammed to take a leading role in the carpentry of veterinary surgery.